Priscilla Schwartz

Priscilla Schwartz is a Sierra Leonean lawyer, the first woman to serve as Attorney General and Minister of Justice (2018–present) in Sierra Leone.[1]

Priscilla Schwartz
Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Sierra Leone
Incumbent
Assumed office 11 June 2018
President	Julius Maada Bio
Preceded by	Charles Margai
Special Assistant to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice
In office 1996–2006
President	Ahmed Tejan Kabbah
Personal details
Born	Priscilla Fofana 18 March 1967
Political party	Sierra Leone People's Party
Children	Natanela Lidia Schwartz and Sharon Rachael Schwartz
Education	Fourah Bay College, (L.LB) and (BA) Kings College, University of London, (LLM) Queen Mary, University of London, (LL.D)
Website	www.lawofficers.gov.sl

Early life and education

Schwartz was born Priscilla Fofana.[1][2] She graduated from Fourah Bay College with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws.[1][3] She obtained a Master of Laws from Kings College, University of London and her juris doctor at Queen Mary, University of London.[1][3][4]

Career

Politics

On 11 June 2018 Schwartz became the first woman in the history of Sierra Leone to be appointed Attorney General and Minister of Justice.[1] She was handpicked by President Julius Maada Bio to replace Charles Margai.[1][5]

From 1996 to 2006, she was State Counsel and Special Assistant to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice in Sierra Leone.[1] She advised on energy, telecommunications as well as petroleum and mineral mining.[4] Schwartz played a key role in organizing the UN Special Court for Sierra Leone and Security Council visit.[1]

Academia

Schwartz was a law professor at the University of Leicester from 2007–2012.[3][1][5] From 2008 until 2011, she was a senior lecturer at her alma mater Queen Mary, University of London.[1][5] She also lectured at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London from 2011 until 2013.[1] Before her appointment as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, she was a senior lecturer and the Director of the Energy and Natural Resources Law Programme, at the College of Professional Services, Royal Docks School of Business and Law, University of East London, United Kingdom from 2012 to 2018.[1]

Schwartz's research is widely published in international business law and economic development journals.[4][5]

Law

Schwartz is called to the bar in Sierra Leone.[4] She is a barrister and solicitor at the Sierra Leone Supreme Court.[1][5] Her specialities are energy law, natural resource law, international investment law, international finance law, international trade law, corporate governance, social responsibility and environmental law.[1][4] She has advised governments and international companies operating in developing countries.[4][5]

Selected publications

• Energy Resources Financing (2018)[1]
• Powe ring the Right to Development: Sustainable Energy in a Changing Climate (2016)[6]
• Capitalism, International Investment Law and the Development Conundrum (2014)[1]
• Public-Private Partnerships and Government Services in the least Developed Countries (2013)[1]
• Trade and Development Partnerships (2010)[1]
• Sustainable Energy Infrastructure: Law and Policy (2009)[1]
• Sustainable Development and Mining in Sierra Leone (2006)[1]

References

1. State House, Media and Communications Unit (12 June 2018). "President Bio Appoints First Female Attorney-General and Minister of Justice". Retrieved 13 June 2018.President Bio Appoints First Female Attorney-General and Minister of Justice
2. "President Bio Appoints First Female Attorney -General and Minister of Justice" (PDF). statehouse.gov.sl. 12 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
3. "Dr Priscilla Schwartz: New lecturer in the Faculty of Law". www.le.ac.uk. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
4. "Dr Priscilla Schwartz, Senior Associate". www.cheight.com. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
5. "Charles Margai Replaced!". slconcordtimes.com. 12 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
6. Dr. Priscilla, Schwartz (29 February 2016). "Powering the Right to Development: Sustainable Energy in a Changing Climate" (PDF). www.ohchr.org. Retrieved 14 June 2018.